Saturday, December 31, 2011

I was driving through the city today. My goal was to get some pictures for my walls. I was crying a lot this morning... but never mind that, I cry a lot.

I was driving around the city. I started thinking about how I'd love the city to be like it once was. Alive and vibrant. And God really spoke to my heart. It shouldn't be like it was. It should be like it needs to be.

You know in our lives when things are good (before Jesus). Those times when we were happy. And then there is a mess. And then Jesus comes and then our lives are amazing! (2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!) Detroit was awesome (I might argue that it still is - because even in our mess, God is faithful), and I believe there will be a revival, Detroit will be a new creation! I drove around and took pics, and noticed how many churches there are. Some open, some not. And I wondered 'what happened?' Even in church (I am guilty of this too) sometimes we take our eyes off Jesus and think 'look what we are doing' (I HATE WHEN I DO THIS!). I wonder if that was what happened. Did we take our eyes off Jesus?

I don't want this city to be like it was. I want it to be like Peter. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus says "And I tell you that you are Peter,[a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it"

This city will be nothing if we don't ask, even beg for God to be in the thick of it with us. We need to bring Him and His love to this city. Each one of us has something different they can do.

Our city isn't meant to be the same. When we are found by Christ, when our lives are surrendered over to Him, we look different. I want Detroit to look different. I want a city on fire, on fire for Jesus, so that Detroit can be that city that cannot be hidden!

Matt 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

We need to be on our faces for this city. Not the buildings or the streets but for the people. They need hope, like we need hope! They need love, like we need love! They need Jesus, like they need Jesus!

I know that God would leave the 99 to go get the one. And we know that we are Jesus to people in a real way, we need to go to our mission fields, wherever God has called us, and go get the one who is lost so that they can be found!

Ready! Set! Go!

Luke 15

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The Parable of the Lost Son

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’20 So he got up and went to his father.“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Friday, December 30, 2011

I’ve seen some fabulous shows.I’ve been going since I was in 2nd grade and saw Annie at the Fisher Theatre.The big doors so hard to push.I’ve loved a lot of shows, but I’ve never loved any of them like I loved Wicked.

My favorite song was ‘defying gravity’.There are some lyrics that really hit my heart like something I just can’t explain.

I have often wondered if anyone ever thought I’d be… anything.

I will admit, I’ve had some cards stacked against me.Some by things that were out of my control, and some consequences to my own choices.

I’d like to just give you my thoughts on some of them.

Why couldn't you have stayed calm, for once! Instead of flying off the handle -- !

Do you know how many times I’ve thought I’ve blown my own cause for Christ because I could not keep my own emotions under control. Anger.Sadness.Oh I can tell you that I’ve found myself at the foot of the cross begging, BEGGING for forgiveness for my big mouth.It’s the thing I pray about the most.

Luke 6:45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Often my heart is full of hurt.

Something has changed within meSomething is not the sameI'm through with playing byThe rules of someone else's gameToo late for second-guessingToo late to go back to sleepIt's time to trust my instinctsClose my eyesAnd leap...

Do you remember when Christ found you?Do you remember what a wretch you were? Oh I do.Ugh.U-G-L-Y. People don’t always know my mess because I don’t broadcast it. I think that if it is needed to be said, I would say it, but sometimes there is no need.Knowing where I have been and where I am now makes me thankful.And in that thankfulness I find myself more and more in love with Jesus.Sometimes I don’t think about where I am going, I just let Him lead me.It’s scary, and people tell me I’m crazy, just today someone called me insane.But a lot of times I don’t stop to think about the things He has called me to, because I’d be scared, and He did not create me with a spirit of fear.He created me to love and follow and serve Him.

1 Tim 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline

I'm through accepting limitsCuz someone says they're soSome things I cannot changeBut till I try I'll never knowToo long I've been afraid ofLosing love, I guess I've lostWell if that's loveIt comes at much too high a cost

The funny part of my life is that I am not sure if I ever did what was expected of me, because I didn’t really know what people expected of me.I think I thought they just thought I was trash, and didn’t know what to do with me.At some point I figured out that I wasn’t. But I lived a life afraid to step out.

Go to Africa?Are you kidding me? Most are afraid for me to go to Juarez.When those schedules are put together, I am not scared. Sometimes if the voices in my head get too loud, I start to become afraid and worry, but I know that if God is truly with me, and I believe He is, then what is there to be afraid of!

Romans 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Glinda, come with me. Think of what we could do -together!

I think of people who don’t know Jesus, who don’t know their gifts.I think of the body of Christ, and how when we all work together, it is truly glorious.

1 Cor 12:12-14 12Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

Tell them how I am defying gravityI'm flying high, defying gravityAnd soon I'll match them in renownAnd nobody in all of OzNo Wizard that there is or wasIs ever gonna bring me down!!

I know a lot of people think I’m crazy.How can I do things like go to Africa? Run marathons?What makes me think I can do it?Jesus.In Him, I can do anything.

Phil 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

That means that I no longer have to live afraid.It means that chains that have bound me for so long, will no longer bind me.If I fail, I don’t fail because I didn’t try.I give my all to whatever I am called to.Whatever the cause, I will strive until the end comes.Living a life loving Jesus.

Phil 3:12-14 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

I'm going to El Salvador in August with this organization http://www.water.cc/. To dig a well. I'm excited! and a little nervous!

Did I ever tell you that if God called me to an overseas mission trip, I'd hang up? I did say that, but thankfully when He called, I answered.

I've been praying that God prepare my heart to love the peeps I meet in El Salvador and to the love my friends I am going with. I actually already love the people I am going with, I just want to be love to them while we are there. it's a week trip, which doesn't seem really all that long but it can seem long while you are gone. Even though we are going to dig a well, I know that I will be also getting to love on women and children while I am there. Last year when we decided were were going, I started buying stuff... I think I have enough for everyone! I've got 350 tattoos, over 840 silly bands, 3 bubble wands, & 10 packs of crayons.

It crazy that I want to buy more 'stuff'. it's so dumb because in America, we like 'stuff' our kids like 'stuff' and all I really need is 2 arms to give hugs, 2 ears to listen, 1 body to help dig a well, 1 heart to love, and 1 mouth to sing praises to our Lord.

I'm excited about going, we are having a bowling fundraiser in March, which reminds me I need to input my information that I said I would do 'tomorrow' about a month ago :/ ugh.

The cost of my trip is about $1700. We've got some things that as a team we are raising money for, supplies, helping our team. There are 11 of us going.

There are ways to contribute:
Come to our bowling fundraiser
Towards our team goal
Towards me individually (but I'd rather you donate to our team)
Prayer - here are the names so you can pray for us by name: Margie (that's me!), Vicki, Darryl, EJ, Lindsay, Brian, Dawn, Kathy, Rachel, Christy, Cesar.

Matt 25:31-40 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Thursday, December 29, 2011

I might as well be 40, who cares, it’s just a number. I know some people really freak out about numbers. As long as they haven’t stopped, I’m good. Not bad for a woman who didn’t think she’d make it to 32, and to hear my dad tell it, he thought I’d never make it past 16. LOL.

What am I going to do my birthday? Probably not much. I'm going to have cake with my ladies from my Saturday small group, and dinner with the Dorbands on Saturday. On Sunday, we will have lunch (we’re having tacos) and maybe catch a movie, and probably deliver dinner to the Alive Staff at Trillium. But part of me wants to have people over!

I am sitting in my office looking at some new pics I put on the walls. I broke down the collages from Phyllis’s Grad party, put them in better frames, and hung them up. It’s quite obvious that I love my girl. I’m not finished but it’s a start. I’ve actually thought of somethings I’d like to already move. I suck at that stuff, but who cares, it’s MY office.

So I guess when you get old you take a look at your life and you wonder… and so… here’s somethings I’ve been thinking about. A lot of ridiculousness and this is your chance to turn back now (or hit the little X to close out this window).

I have no ‘real’ ministry. Sometimes it bugs me that I am not ‘in charge’ of anything. I don’t really know how I’d do it, but I wish I had a ‘path’ to follow. Instead I listen more intently to what God has for me to do. Doesn’t seem to make as big of an impact as I’d like (oh boy ‘as I’d like’) but I want my life to count for something.

I’m not married. Really, it doesn’t bother me (most days). I know it bothers other people, sometimes they look at me with those ‘oh you poor girl’ makes me feel like a spinster. But I could have been married, and I wonder how that would have turned out, can you imagine, I’d be married 14 years! WOW!

How am I going to afford to send my girl to MSU? Do other parents think about this stuff, or is it that there are two of them so they just pay for it by writing a check? I mean there is no doubt she’s going unless they are stupid and don’t accept her. But that won’t happen. I guess I just depend on God to sell off a few cattle and take care of it (Psalm 50:9-10). But that’s scary. And it’s also weird that I don’t worry about this. I think about it but I don’t worry. That’s weird.

I always wanted to be a teacher, now I want to be a principal. I’d love to go back to school for that, but (see above) that’s a lot of money. And I’m old, but I think I’d be such a great principal. I’m in Sales, I like it, it’s crazy, but I love learning, even if it is about car parts. And I am SUPER thankful for my job!

I’m going on an overseas mission trip! HOLY MOLY! El Salvador to dig a well. So much for hanging up when God called. LOL.

I want to go to Africa. A lot of people are worried. I’m not worried. How come I’m not worried? I don’t know. I really do believe that if anything happens to me while I am there… I died for Christ. I can’t wait to kiss some of those beautiful muffins there! Also can’t figure out what organization I am going with or what I am going to do, but imagine the miles and miles of muffins!

How did I get so fat? I mean, I know how it happened, but why did I let it happen. Gonna do something about it!

I wonder will I run the marathon this year? Will my foot be healed? I want to SO bad!

I wish my house was decorated the way I wanted… I wish I had my new kitchen table, and my new buffet, and my new cute cabinet (that won’t be delivered until March – so no reason to run out and get the other two things from IKEA – I’ll just keep saving).

See above. I found the picture I love to put on my red wall in the living room. There is always hope. And I am going to find/take pictures of Detroit, and put them all around. There is always hope. People will probably think that’s crazy/dumb, but I don’t think so.

See Above again. I think I am going to gut by bathroom and redo it. It is crazy. But I’m starting to think I am a little off my rocker. And I wonder, why does all that decorating stuff matter to me anyway?

And most importantly I’ve been thinking ‘does my life matter?’ do I live a life that is worthy of Christ’s love? Oh probably not. I wonder, in my days, all of them, am I making the most of every opportunity to love others, those I know, and those I don’t. Do I put Him before me, everyday? I am not sure of that answer. And so I must find it.

So as 2012 is coming closer and closer…

I want to read my bible more.
I want to read it with my heart, and the end in mind.
I want to love bigger.

1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us

“Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get - only with what you are expecting to give - which is everything.” ~Katherine Hepburn

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

A lot of people take a week off and go on vacation. I love vacations, and I love to travel, however, I love time off that I can spend relaxing and getting my house in order.

Before the holidays came I was a little overwhelmed!

I started to 'decompress' when my tree came down (on Christmas) and I started cleaning my office. Which, by the way, was the storage place for all the Christmas totes. As soon as they were out and back where they belong, I cleaned my office, threw out TONS of papers and 'stuff' (and found a bag of school supplies for Little Dresses for Africa). I rearranged my room and sent the dust bears that were hibernating - packing!

I've rearranged my tupperware cabinet, cleaned, cleaned and cleaned! Even organized my canning jars :). in the next couple days I plan on straightening up the scrapbooking stuff, cleaning/organizing the basement more.

I know it might sound crazy, but a clean, organized house relaxes me. Spending time reading and thinking about the coming year and all it entails with Jesus restores joy to my soul.

““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Those two words really don't go well together when you're talking about me... however, in November I had a stroke of genius!

My house is REALLY dusty! I need to get my air ducts cleaned out... but alas that isn't happening anytime soon, partner that with the original furnace in my house, and you've got a winning combination for dust bears (5 minutes after you dust).

I didn't want to look at dusty end tables and coffee tables over the holidays, it bugs me, just a little, but it bugs me. SOO... I decided to get some cute fabric that was kind of Christmas-ie but not too Christmas-ie and put it on the entertainment center, the coffee table, and the end table. You can kind of see it in the pic on the left.
I decided I wanted to continue with this idea after Christmas was done, and I had picked up some fabric to make a tree skirt but decided against that since I found out that I already had a tree skirt... I cut the fabric, Phyllis hemmed it and now we have 'fancy dust covers' for our coffee & end table, and entertainment center.

Mark 10:14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.

I know a lot of cost savings ideas... I'm no expert. I won't have a ton of followers on a new website. I let the people who are experts be experts! I subscribe to their websites, I use ideas that work for me. But every so often I realize a trick that was taught to me, and I feel the need to pass on that information...

Today I was swiffering my floors in my room (I told you one project a day while I am on vacation) and today I am rearranging my room. I was thinking about Aunt Pat. While we were on our Sisterhood retreat she taught me this very simple yet GENIUS trick about swiffering... now some of you may be ahead of the curve on me with this one... she uses wash clothes instead of swiffers. This won't really work with FAT wash clothes but if you've got some old ones (I use as rags) it is PERFECT!

I also use Cabinet & Wood Magic on my floors to keep them nice and shiny! It's $5.99 for a 17 oz can (at Hood's in Wyandotte but you can get it pretty much anywhere). I typically don't buy tons of cleaning products (and I am not very loyal to many - whatever is on sale or I have a coupon for), but this one, I LOVE! I use it on my kitchen cabinets and my wood floors (but BE CAREFUL) it can make them slippery! If I spray my washcloth it helps to 'attract' the dirt. I think because of it's clean smell :)

So there you go! No more watching for coupons for swiffer refills, or 'store brand' savings. Old school rags/wash clothes will save you some dough! then you can either save it or buy something you really want!

Any sensible family has a budget that lays out how much will be spent for household and other purposes. Without such planning, things would quickly go awry. ~Walter Ulbricht

Sunday, December 25, 2011

I know that most people don’t get why I take down my tree on Christmas, those who really know me, completely understand…It started that I used to take it down 12-26 because Phyllis’s birthday follows close behind Christmas and we lived in small apartments, and our current estate isn’t exactly palatial, so I’d take the tree down because we needed room for a birthday party.Then a couple years back, I decided to take down the tree on Christmas night.I feel like life needs to get back to ‘normal’, whatever that is…I personally have had enough hussle and bussle to last me until next year.I want to enjoy my vacation.Clean my house, finish a couple projects, and truly enjoy my vacation.

Today I took down the tree and cleaned the office (There is a brief moment when you’re cleaning up a room, such as your office that has been kind of storage/catch all for a month or so when it actually looks worse than when you started… ).Tomorrow I will put up pictures, and work on the living room and my room. The floors are in need of some cabinet magic. The dining room just has a few things that need to be run down the stairs to be put away, the kitchen also has a few things that need to be returned to their homes… and if I do a little everyday it won’t seem like much work at all.Also going to paint the doors to our rooms and closets… they are still just primered.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

I 'm ready to put my tree away, I've got boxes in my office for the ornaments! I am ready for the next 'season' even if it is winter! I love this season but with all the added stuff... I miss my Friday night life group... and my Saturday morning Ladies group! I want my life to be the normal not the crazy! I know that sounds nuts... but keep reading...

I love Jesus! I love that He came to save me! I love that He could have come all high and righteous but He came as a little muffin, all swaddled up in a garage.

I am just ready to spend some time with my family tonight (who both chose to have it at the same time this year! which is hard for us because we don't want to choose - we will do both, just be late for one), and tomorrow more family. Little do they know, unless they read this, I'm coming in jeans. Yeah, it's true. They are my most comfortable pants, and so I've decided instead of being uncomfortable, I'm wearing jeans (I think I'd show up in sweats if I was allowed!). I don't think there is a dress code for Christmas (at least I hope not - because I'm toast).

All the presents are purchased, under the tree or in their designated bags/boxes to go wherever they are going. I blew it on someone's gift and put it in the cart to order... and never purchased it, so they will get theirs later. what can I say - I'm an idiot!

I'm looking forward to tonight and tomorrow. I just want Jesus to be in my heart! I'm looking forward to some much needed time off!

Merry Christmas!!!

Luke 2:1-21 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.2(This was the first census that took place while[a]Quirinius was governor of Syria.)3And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

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About Me

This blog is about me, well, not really not about me, it's about God's story in my oh-so-not-perfect life. I'm thankful for God's grace.
I'm a woman saved by grace. A single mom who is in love with Jesus and a beautiful daughter. I often stand in amazement of them both!
I have found a love in Jesus that I never thought there was. This love involves trust, and joy and feelings I never thought possible.
It's opened my heart to amazing things. It's made me more aware of the blessing around me.
He's amazing.